Taiwan to donate US $3M to Caribbean Allies struck by Hurricane Beryl

The Caribbean regions still recovering from the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl, have been extended helping hands by their diplomatic allies. The Taiwan Government on July 4, 2024, has given its word to make a total donation of US $300,000 to Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), two of their diplomatic allies in the Caribbean.

Following reports of the widespread devastation caused by the passage of the destructive Hurricane Beryl in the two Caribbean countries, the government of Taiwan stated to donate an amount of US $200,000 to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and amount of US $100,000 to Saint Lucia. The details were further confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Hurricane Beryl being recorded as the first category 4 storm for the month of June in Caribbean, has wreaked havoc and tremendous damage barreling across the Windward Islands on Monday with a speed of around 155 mph bringing along gusty wind and heavy shower.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan) on August 15, 1981, and for Saint Lucia the ties were established in 1984. Since then, based on the shared bond and values of freedom, democracy and human rights, the relation among the nations has grown stronger over time.

Since the establishment of the partnership and diplomatic relations between Taiwan, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent, they have been pursuing a progressive relation which resulted in building a mutually beneficial co-working and also sustainable developments through a wide range of projects that included education, cultural exchanges, agriculture, medical care, infrastructure, information technologies and so on.

The catastrophic disaster Beryl has already caused a couple of deaths in both SVG as well as in Grenada, rendering people homeless as countless houses and like structures were destroyed.

There is visual evidence all over the internet that shows the destruction caused by the monstrous hurricane with roofless and shattered residences, uprooted trees and power lines, streets logged with water and debris scattered.

The strong bond and diplomatic ties between Saint Lucia Taiwan can be witnessed later this year as the 17^th Annual Saint Lucia -Taiwan Partnership Trade Show is all set to be held from November 1^st to 3^rd, 2024. One of the major highlights of this year’s tradeshow will be to focus on digitalization in the sector of modern business landscape.